Category Archives: Noise Earplugs

Tinnitus Effects Most Teenagers

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EarphonesIt has been stated on many occasions that music lovers should show increasing awareness to the potential damage they could be causing their hearing. With the development of technology we are able to plug ourselves in and listen to music everywhere we go, whether it’s taking a walk to the local shops, sitting on a tube or lazing by a beach. We use music to relax and unwind, hype ourselves up for a night out and on some occasions, to drown out other noises such as a sibling’s music. However, cranking up the music, much to our enjoyment, can have a devastating effect on our hearing.

It has been revealed tinnitus is one of the most common forms of hearing damage, especially in teenagers. Doctor Tony Kay, a senior chief audiologist at Fazakerley Hospital in Liverpool has recently connected hearing loss in teenagers with music players, saying:  “In the last two years we have seen more people in their late teens and early 20s with tinnitus and this is sometimes because they are listening to personal players too loudly.

“Exposure to loud music can occur via a personal music player or at home, in the workplace or at public music concerts, pubs or nightclubs.

“There are simple steps which you can take which still enable you to enjoy music, but reduce the risk of developing tinnitus.

“If you go clubbing or attend loud gigs then think about wearing ear plugs, keep hydrated and take regular breaks away from the noise.

“If you regularly listen to music on a personal music player then you should make sure that the volume is turned down.

“Good ear plugs and lower volumes don’t affect the fidelity of the music – but they do help safeguard your hearing. In turn, this means that you can go on enjoying music for decades longer.

“As time goes on, we’re seeing people develop tinnitus symptoms younger and younger. Noise levels in clubs can hit around 100 decibels and anything higher than 85 can damage hearing in many people.

“People normally wouldn’t listen as loudly to personal music players, but if they turn them up to drown out background noise such as a train or bus then it can reach damaging levels.

“In addition, they may continue to listen at that volume hour after hour and the damage can mount up. It’s a simple message: don’t turn it off, but do turn it down.”

However, it is not all doom and gloom, there are precautions that can be put in place, such as wearing musician or noise earplugs when attending concerts and festivals. There is a stigma around wearing earplugs at music events, but there are far more advantages to wearing these ear defenders than first thought.

Benefits of musician earplugs

  • They are discrete
  • Are comfortable to wear
  • Can make music more audible
  • Protect your hearing from damaging noises
  • Block background noises

Why Wear Earplugs?

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There are many reasons why you should wear a pair of earplugsYou may have noticed that we here at Earplug Shop are passionate about earplugs and wish to spread the message concerning the importance of protecting your hearing. There are many reasons why it’s important to wear ear defenders such as earplugs. For instance they create a barrier against damaging noises that can lead to hearing impairment and against water, which can cause inner ear infections.

According to Deafness Research UK: “The deterioration of the ear which accompanies ageing still leaves more than half of all people over the age of 60 with a hearing impairment, and an increasing number of young people have their hearing permanently damaged through exposure to loud noise: usually music.”

As there are a range of reasons why you should wear earplugs and a variety of occasions where these ear defenders should be worn, at Earplug Shop you will find an array of ear plugs to choose from.

Music lovers, bar tenders, DJs and musicians should all wear musician earplugs when music is being played. Whether that be at a festival, a nightclub or concert all attendees should wear the correct form of protection. At Earplug Shop you will notice there is an extensive range of musician earplugs to choose from, all boasting different attenuating filters and noise reduction ratings.

It isn’t just live music events where earplugs should be worn. Hearing damage or impairment can be triggered riding a motorcycle, at work if you’re surrounded by heavy machinery or loud music or swimming (swimmer’s ear is commonly associated with swimming). However, there is an earplug that can help prevent damage to your hearing at all noisy affairs.

One of the most commonly used earplugs, worn across a spectrum of noisy events, is noise earplugs. You’ll find a fantastic selection of these ear plugs at Earplug Shop, all offering a wide range of noise reduction ratings with some even being waterproof, ideal for those who love to practise aquatic sports.

What you need to know about earplugs

•    Earplugs reduce noise pollution and DO NOT block all sounds
•    Custom fit earplugs are generally the most discrete earplugs on the market and can provide the best in comfort, but are not necessarily the best option to wear at all times
•    You can find earplugs that block out harmful noise, yet allow you to hear speech
•    You can use earplugs to relieve ear discomfort experienced when flying and travelling
•    For hygiene reasons it’s advisable not to share earplugs
•    Wear earplugs when noise levels exceed 80dB and when you feel a slight discomfort in the ear
•    Tinnitus can be prevented by wearing earplugs

Road Works

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We dread seeing roadwork signs in broad daylight let alone having to live on the road where they’re taking place. We have to take diverted routes when driving, which can be an inconvenience, but just imagine how it must be to try and sleep whilst this is going on.

Nurses and doctors who work shifts already have the difficulty of sleeping during the day and we’re sure having to contend with the racket coming from the road works, creates an even greater challenge.

Sleep is an extremely important part of our lives as it gives our bodies and minds the time to rejuvenate and restore from the day’s activities. It is recommended that we have six to eight hours of deep sleep a night, but with the constant disturbance of road works this may become extremely difficult.

This is where sleeping earplugs come into play. They are fantastic to wear if you have problems sleeping or need to sleep during the day after a work shift. With these earplugs you’ll be able to block surrounding noises and concentrate on falling asleep. What’s more sleeping masks can also provide you with the perfect atmosphere to sleep in, offering you a blanket of darkness.

You will find an extensive collection of both sleeping ear plugs and masks at Earplug Shop that have been specifically designed to wear in bed without any discomfort. If you have road works in your area and would like to benefit from a good night’s or day’s sleep by wearing a pair of sleeping earplugs we recommend Mack’s Snore Blockers Earplugs.

Become a Tennis Pro

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Ear Plugs for SportsOnce again tennis will be gracing our screens and is sure to become the hottest subject to talk about at the water cooler. Wimbledon will be commencing in June followed by the tennis Olympic Games, which will be starting in July through to August. Yes, that’s right we have almost three months of tennis to watch this year.

Last year we saw a growing trend of new hopefuls wishing to start their professional career by attending coaching lessons and at Earplug Shop we predict that tennis will once again be the biggest sporting trend of the year.

Racket sports demand physical fitness and a clear focus especially when the match point is at stake. To stay in the game you need to channel all your energy and remain focused on every shot that comes your way. However, when training for the big match there can be a lot of distractions to contend with.

To be the next Andy Murray or Rafael Nadal you need to ensure your concentration is fixated on your coach’s instructions and your technique. With a pair of noise earplugs you’ll be able to reduce surrounding noises giving you time to perfect that all important back hand.

You may be thinking, why would I want to block the surrounding noises when I want to hear my coach’s instructions?

With noise earplugs you won’t be blocking all the noises, but simply reducing them, which enables you to hear your coach. In some cases when noise ear plugs are worn conversations can become more audible. At Earplug Shop you will find a great range of noise reduction earplugs to wear when attending coaching lessons and other sporting events.

Noise earplugs are also perfect for squash players who experience distractions from the loud sounds emitted whilst playing. We recommend you try a pair of Mack’s Ultra Safe Sound Earplugs

Explaining Noise Reduction Rating

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When you hear the term noise reduction rating, are you confused by it? Below we here at Ear Plug Shop have explained it for you, helping you make the right decision when purchasing your ear plugs.

Noise reduction rating (NRR) is a measurement that is used to tell customers the level of protection an ear plug can provide. For instance if you see NRR 30dB (decibels), that means that the ear plug in question can decrease the levels of noise you hear by 30 decibels. The higher the number of attenuation, the higher the level of protection generated from the ear plug.

When visiting Ear Plug Shop you will see that our range of noise ear plugs covers from mild (20dB) to strong noise blockers (32dB).

This is a great way of narrowing down your search for the perfect ear plug. If you are aware the event you’ll be attending will be a loud one, it’s best to go for an ear plug that provides a high level of protection (opting for a high attenuation number).

Here are a few of the noise ear plugs we have to offer you:

Heartech SilentEar – noise reduction rating of 32dB

Mack’s Ear Seals – average attenuation of 27dB

Mack’s Ultra Safe Sound Ear plugs – average attenuation of 32dB

Noise ear plugs: Construction workers

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Construction workers are going deaf and are experiencing hearing loss due to exposure to loud sounds on construction sites. One of the reasons to this problem is the lack of hearing protection provided to staff. Other reasons include the level and consistency of loud sounds within the site areas, the lack of noise controls on relevant equipment that is used and the lack of health training on the job.

Ear plugs should be worn when sound levels reach 85dB and over. Wearing noise reduction ear plugs with a high NRR (noise reduction rating) will eliminate the risk of hearing loss.

It can be said that noise levels at construction sites can manage to exceed what is measured as a safe sound. Being subjected to loud sounds for a long period of time can attribute to extreme ear pain and hearing damage.

Noise ear plugs are the ideal solution for construction workers and employees who work in a noisy environment as they provide protection and allow you to work with higher concentration levels.

Ear plugs for exercising

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When we exercise the last thing we ever think about is the damage we could be doing to our ears. We are more concerned with what we are doing to our bodies; getting healthier and fitter. However, when at the gym or swimming pool we could be doing damage to our hearing.

Swimming

When swimming regularly if you do not wear ear plugs you could run the risk of contracting swimmer’s ear. Swimmer’s ear is an outer ear infection, which sees your skin inflame making it painful to touch.

Swimming ear plugs are ideal for those who want to spend a lot of time in the water without running the risk of infection. They are also brilliant for those who want to concentrate on their swimming technique.

Gym

If you are a gym fanatic the noise emitted by large machinery and the music played in the room can cause serious discomfort in your ears. Research has shown that gym-goers are more likely to turn up the volume on their personal music devices while working out to drown out the noisy environment, which can cause further damage.

Noise ear plugs are the ideal solution for gym goers to drown out surrounding noises without damaging your hearing. They are also superb to use when wanting to maximise your concentration levels, giving you the chance to focus on your ambitions.

Need ear plugs for Burlesque film

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I am a big fan of Christina Aguilera, I think out of all modern day ‘singers’ she is the only one with a voice that makes you stop and actually listen. However, this is not what I have heard about her new film Burlesque. From all the video clips I have seen on the internet and the trailers I have seen on the TV I wouldn’t mind seeing it, it looks like a good bit of fun.

However, the reviews haven’t been so kind, with most advising to bring some ear plugs along when you see it. I can imagine that you may need some music ear plugs as Christina has such a powerful voice and there are sure to be some very high notes. I’m still quite tempted to watch it, with ear plugs just in case.

This is what the review said:

“Burlesque was up-beat and fun but it also felt like they crammed every feather boa, beaded dress and high-pitched note that they could into it. The bright colours were present to an annoying intensity that it was almost nauseating. I really feel like they tried with this movie and it was a really good idea they just needed to tone it down a tad.

Christina Aguilera has a beautiful voice, however a couple of her numbers were extremely high-pitched and in a large theatre with a good sound system it tends to be a bit overwhelming and annoying (as in painful to the ear…possibly damaging!) The combination of Cher and Christina Aguilera is a match that I was hoping would be great but instead it was a little dissatisfying. They just didn’t seem to work that well together. I do not believe that this film is for everyone, I think that some people will really enjoy this film but most will find it obnoxious.”

Noise Ear Plugs: New Year Fireworks

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Welcome 2011! I have a feeling this year will be an amazing year! I had a fantastic time celebrating the New Year with my family. We all went down to London to see all the fireworks and what a spectacular view we had, but weren’t they loud?

I’m glad I came prepared for the event. Just before the fireworks started to appear off the London Eye and grabbed the ear plugs and dished them out to everyone. We could all still hear the bangs the fireworks, but at a reduced level so the experience was the same, just not as damaging.

The children loved being in London; it was a great change of scenery and being part of a large group of people was very exciting for them. There were people dressed up in extraordinary costumes, which really got us in the mood for a family filled New Year party.

I’m so glad we all went to see the fireworks and had our noise ear plugs to help protect our hearing. I saw quite a few people touching their ears after the fireworks finished; must of had a ringing sensation!

Ear plugs for New Year Fireworks

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New Year’s Eve is just around the corner and we will be welcoming 2011 in not time. When we celebrate a new year coming in, we open our doors as a sign of welcoming new changes and countdown to midnight, finishing off with a firework display.

We turn on the TV to watch Big Ben strike 12 and see fireworks fill the London skyline. If you will be attending a firework display to see 2011 in, you may need to pack your trusty ear plugs. It can be a noisy affair and what could be worse than having tinnitus at the beginning of a brand new year?

If you are exposed to noises that exceed 110dB for longer than 1 minute at a time, you could run the risk of permanent hearing loss. Why not try some noise reduction ear plugs? You can be sure that your hearing is protected from the dangerous sounds, yet you will be able to hear conversations between you and your family and friends.

Whatever you are planning for New Years, have a great night.